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Uploaded: Friday, November 16, 2007, 12:28 PM
AYSO players win area championship
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| This report is by JoAnne Goldberg, a AYSO Region 109 board member.
For the second year in a row, the Menlo Park-Atherton AYSO Region 109 boys-under-19 (BU19) team won the interregional 2A/2J area championship on Nov. 11 at Rosita Park in Los Altos.
Battling for the championship against a Los Altos team that had not lost a game all season, the Menlo Park players took an early lead, maintained it throughout an intense match, and triumphed with a 4-3 win.
Pastor Guzman, the parent volunteer who also coached the region's championship team last year, notes that the team overcame ongoing challenges. "Many players have after-school and weekend jobs, and throughout the season we played games without a full team," he said. "But I knew that whether we won or lost the championship, we could all keep our heads up, because our players love the game. I am really proud of these boys."
Team members are juniors and seniors at local high schools; most attend Menlo-Atherton High School or other Sequoia Union district schools. Many started playing AYSO soccer at age 5.
The BU19 team was one of 143 teams that played soccer in Region 109 this year, with over 1,600 local children between the ages of 4 and 18 participating. The 2A/2J areas encompass regions from San Jose and Saratoga to the mid-peninsula.
For more information on the league, go to www.mpsoccer.org .
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| Comments
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Posted by diego medina, a member of the Oak Knoll School community, on Nov 18, 2007 at 12:41 pm congratulations!! to pastor guzman and the menlo park road runners. for their successfull championship. now the team have 3 championships including last year's winter tournament. this teaches us all. that with effort and dedication, it can be done. and there is no small team.
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Posted by Mary Hom, a resident of the Menlo Park: The Willows neighborhood, on Nov 21, 2007 at 12:59 am Again, thank-you Pastor for your hard work and preseverence at working with those players who are less skilled and getting everybody to play as a team (for all the years that you coached, not just these two championship ones).
Some times have been very trying this season, but then there was the beautiful header goal #2 from Danny when he had a hat trick, and as you noted in game summary, the fierce competitor that Garrett was the first period of this last game.
A lot of really good, simpatico people on the team. We'll miss seeing you all.
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Posted by Alice Hom, a resident of the Menlo Park: other neighborhood, on Nov 21, 2007 at 2:01 pm Wow, what a season!
Coach Pastor - You are the epitome of what every coach should be, with good sportsmanship and a true professional. As a long-time AYSO parent, knowing your concern for the safety for the guys always came first was commendable, particularly when we came against teams who only wanted to win at all costs.
Road Runners- We are very sad to see the season end, I know we'll never see this level of skills again, you are THAT good. You have earned the title and deserve being the #1 Team in the area but were already champions in our hearts and minds before we knew what the outcome would be. You played with pride, dignity and respect for the game. It was a true joy watching this team.
Congratulations to the Los Altos team as well for a great season, you are an extraordinary team and am grateful our last challenge together was a clean one.
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